US data center energy use has entered the political danger zone. (The Guardian)
The stats: Data centers now consume 6% of electricity in the US, the International Data Center Authority reports (the global average sits around 2%). Once this figure passes 5% in a given country, the researchers say community and political backlash tends to kick in. Over recent months, we’ve certainly seen the proof in the pudding.
The waste: The report also noted that 13% of US data center consumption comes from “zombie” services—unused apps that were never switched off. That totals to over 3 GW of wasted load.
The reaction: In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill requiring data centers to pay for their own energy infrastructure upgrades, which the state says will save the average ratepayer over $150/year.